Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’, selected for its big fruit size, improved shelf life, and unique delicate floral flavor, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ was discovered in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom in 2014, and originated from a cross between the female parent ‘WUKE 085-001’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘WUKE 141-002’ (unpatented). ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ was first asexually propagated via stolons in the Netherlands in August of 2014.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons and underwent further testing in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom for 5 years (2014 to 2018). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom:

-   -   1. Dense foliage;     -   2. Achenes level with surface of fruit;     -   3. Calyx attachment inserted in fruit; and     -   4. Attitude of sepals upwards from fruit.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ was selected for its fruit size, improved shelf life, and unique delicate floral flavor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are ten months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’.

FIG. 2 illustrates the longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’.

FIG. 4 illustrates plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom from 2014 to 2018. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ was taken from plants that were ten months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (RHS) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Strawberry variety ‘WUKE 085-001’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Strawberry variety ‘WUKE 141-002’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—40.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—44.9 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—5.2.         -   Growth habit.—Upright. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—32-41.         -   Diameter at bract.—2.5 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 174B (Greyish reddish orange).         -   Stolon color.—RHS 144C (Strong yellow-green).         -   Length.—22.6 cm. -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS N134A (Dark yellowish green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 8.1 cm. Width: 7.3 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal leaflet:             17.5. Shape of base: Obtuse. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 23.3 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 1. Color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow-green).         -   Petiolule.—Length: 6.2 mm. Diameter: 2.2 mm. Color: RHS 145B             (Light yellow-green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 2.1 cm. Width: 7.9 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Absent or very weak. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Above.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 3.5 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color: RHS 143C             (Strong yellow-green).         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards.         -   Flower bud.—Length: 5 mm. Diameter: 6 mm. Color: RHS 144A             (Strong yellow-green).         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 27.3 mm. Typical and observed number             of flowers per plant: 33. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Stamen: Present.         -   Petal.—Length: 10.8 mm. Width: 11.9 mm. Length/width ratio:             0.9. Typical and observed petal number: 5.5. Color of upper             side: RHS NN155C (White). Color of underside: RHS 155C             (Greenish white). Shape of apex: Rounded. Shape of base:             Concave to convex. Margin: Erose.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 35.9 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 11.1 mm. Width: 6.1 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 5.3. Color: RHS 141A (Deep yellowish green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—37.3 mm.         -   Width.—34.5 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.1.         -   Fruit hollow length.—18.4 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—11.3 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—1.6.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS 33B (Vivid reddish orange).         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 31B (Strong yellowish             pink).         -   Color of core.—RHS 11D (Pale yellow).         -   Average weight per berry.—19.6 grams. -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—Late April to early September.         -   Harvest interval.—Mid-May to late September.         -   Type of bearing.—Fully remontant.         -   Productivity.—1.150 kg to 1.350 kg of fruit per plant per             season from nine- to twelve-month-old plants when grown in             East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom. -   Resistance to diseases:     -   -   Verticillium wilt.—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ differs from the female parent ‘WUKE 085-001’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ is more productive, has a shorter shelf life, and has a less seedy and thus better fruit appearance as compared to ‘WUKE 085-001’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ differs from the male parent ‘WUKE 141-002’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ is more vigorous and productive as compared to ‘WUKE 141-002’. Further, ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ produces fruit that are better-tasting, sweeter, and larger in size as compared to ‘WUKE 141-002’. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have a shorter shelf life as compared to fruit of ‘WUKE 141-002’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,851) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have dense foliage, whereas plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have medium foliage. Further, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have achenes level with surface, whereas fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have achenes below surface. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have calyx attachment inserted in fruit, whereas fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have calyx attachment level with fruit. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have an upwards attitude of sepals, whereas fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyEight’ have an outwards attitude of sepals.

‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,233) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have an upright growth habit, whereas plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyNine’ have a semi-upright growth habit. Further, stolons of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have strong anthocyanin coloration, whereas stolons of ‘DrisStrawFiftyNine’ have absent or very weak anthocyanin coloration. Moreover, terminal leaflets of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have a serrate to crenate margin, whereas terminal leaflets of ‘DrisStrawFiftyNine’ have a crenate margin. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ have calyx attachment inserted in fruit, whereas fruit of ‘DrisStrawFiftyNine’ have calyx attachment level with fruit. Lastly, ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ is less productive as compared to ‘DrisStrawFiftyNine’. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyFour’ as shown and described herein. 